Moderate earthquake rattles Israel

No damage or injuries reported

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JERUSALEM — A moderate earthquake rattled a swath of the Middle East early Wednesday, sending jitters throughout the region and causing minor damage to Israel's parliament. No injuries were immediately reported.

The quake rumbled for up to 20 seconds, rattling Israel, Jordan and the West Bank and Gaza. Rumblings were also felt in Syria and Lebanon.

At the Knesset, Israel's parliament, investigators found cracks in the ceilings near Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office and in the main auditorium.

Lawmakers sitting in committee meetings feared a large bomb had gone off, Israel Army radio reported, and a parliamentary debate was canceled.

High-rise buildings in Tel Aviv, shopping malls and schools throughout the country were evacuated. Israel's Channel Ten TV reported minor damage to four apartments in Jerusalem.

In the West Bank, the quake caused items to fall off shelves in stores in Jericho. Schoolchildren in Ramallah and Bethlehem were sent home early.

Ready to rumble?The quake was felt for about 20 seconds in the Jordanian capital of Amman, sending frightened residents out of their homes.